Prudential Building in Houston destroyed in 17 seconds

In 17 seconds, the building that once stood as the first skyscraper built outside of downtown Houston turned into a pile of dust and rubble.

Dense morning fog delayed the implosion of the Houston Main Building by more than three hours past the planned time of 7:52 a.m.

The first of the loud bangs were finally heard at 11:15 a.m.

The demolition process began nearly two years ago when the last MD Anderson employees moved out.

Sunday morning, before the final bang, the building stood on 1100 Holcombe with insides stripped and windows gutted. The light flashing on the pole on the roof of the building was the only sign of life remaining in the building – until it stopped flashing at 10:30.

Police stood guard along the various corridors of the Texas medical center, turning away people in their vehicles who were either getting to work or trying to catch a glimpse of the historic architectural wonder fall from grace.

Some curious on-lookers found their way onto outlying parking garages waiting for the building to fall while others parked their cars on a grassy field on the corner of Braeswood and Fannin.

MD Anderson employees waited in anticipation — some standing in the observation deck of the Alkek Hospital hoping to watch the building fall, recalling how beautiful the building once was where it stood, with its lush gardens and lavish pool.

“In its glory days it was an impressive building, but it was time for it to come down,” said Sarah Watson, a spokeswoman for MD Anderson.

The aging foundation made the building costly to maintain. The structure was also sinking and had asbestos, officials said.